Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 47
Budget unbalance: How can different mayors be $40M apart on Pittsburgh’s spending plan?
Pittsburgh’s new mayor says the 2026 budget he inherited might have a $40 million hole that must be plugged. The architect of the previous administration maintains it doesn’t. Who’s right? The answer remained in dispute Friday, a day after Mayor Corey O’Connor warned that his predecessor, Ed Gainey, had left...
WVU Medicine goes all in on AI medical transcription software Abridge
West Virginia University Medicine is accelerating its rollout of an artificial intelligence transcription software developed by Pittsburgh-based startup Abridge. A small pilot program started last May has grown to more than 1,200 doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants adopting Abridge to fill out charts while they talk to patients, WVU...
High winds knock out power for more than 260,000 in Pittsburgh region; a slew of roads closed
About 260,000 West Penn Power and Duquesne Light customers in the Pittsburgh region were without power Friday night after high winds blew through the area Friday afternoon. As of 9 p.m., Duquesne Light reported about 151,000 outages in Allegheny County and 16,000 in Beaver County. West Penn Power reported roughly...
The war in Iran is driving costs up. Here are some ways to save.
The widening war in Iran is now in its third week, and American consumers are already feeling the effects of the rising cost of gasoline, with the price of food and other essentials likely to follow. For consumers already reeling from inflation and a cooling job market, the fallout from...
Analysis: Hegseth’s boasts of ‘maximum’ engagement authorities face scrutiny after school is hit
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has made contempt for what he calls “stupid rules of engagement” — limits meant to reduce risks to civilians — central to his political identity, and has boasted that he unleashed the military to use “maximum authorities on the battlefield” in the Iran war....
Hegseth vows to reopen key strait as U.S. measures fail to calm oil fears
U.S. officials on Friday vowed to thwart Iran’s attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz, as oil markets appeared largely unmoved by the Trump administration’s efforts to avert an energy crisis stemming from the Middle East war. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a news conference that the disruptions in...
Students share thoughts on AI, mental health at Woodland Hills summit
A group of Pittsburgh-area high school students challenged each other Friday to think about the future of artificial intelligence. Students from 25 area high schools — from Belle Vernon Area to Aliquippa — discussed issues ranging from academic integrity to human loneliness and whether AI should replace human employees. “It’s...
Pittsburgh police ramp up security for St. Patrick’s Day parade
Pittsburgh police officers will be out in force Saturday as the city hosts one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the nation, police Chief Jason Lando said Friday, though he declined to provide details. Saturday’s holiday parade, which starts at 10 a.m., is taking place amid turmoil at...
Where to eat near Acrisure Stadium during the NFL Draft
The North Shore will be the center of Pittsburgh’s festivities during the 2026 NFL Draft. And, as thousands of football fans move through the area over the April 23-25 event, finding a good place to eat will be key. Fortunately, the North Shore is packed with dining options — from...
Former Steeler Ryan Clark among NFL players critical of viral White House video mixing hard game hits with Iran strikesVideo
Some NFL players, including former Pittsburgh Steeler Ryan Clark, aren’t too happy with a new video posted by the White House. The clip juxtaposes college and pro football highlights with footage of apparent U.S. military strikes in Iran. Posted March 6 on an official White House account, the clip is...
Blast rocks Tehran after Israel threatened to target area where pro-government rally was being held
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A large explosion rocked an area of Iran’s capital where thousands were gathered Friday for the annual state-organized Quds Day to support the Palestinians and call for Israel’s demise. Israel had earlier warned that it would target the area in central Tehran. There were no...
Man in Michigan synagogue attack lost family members in Israeli airstrike in Lebanon, official says
WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. — A man with a rifle who crashed into a large Michigan synagogue in what federal officials are saying was an attack had lost four family members in an Israeli airstrike in his native Lebanon last week, an official said Friday. Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, 41, a naturalized...
Driverless shuttle proposed to replace parking lot buses at Pittsburgh International Airport
Driverless shuttles could replace traditional parking lot buses at Pittsburgh International Airport under a multimillion-dollar proposal that will enter a public comment period beginning Sunday. Public comments will be accepted on a proposed autonomous vehicle shuttle that would move travelers from parking areas at the Findlay airport to the terminal...
Pittsburgh businesses ready for 2026 NFL Draft
Jim Coen expects his football-themed merchandise to fly off the shelves when the 2026 NFL Draft comes to town April 23. “I’m projecting this NFL Draft to be like two Super Bowls combined,” said Coen, who owns Yinzers in the Burgh, a Strip District store dedicated to all things Pittsburgh...
Strong winds expected Friday across Western Pa. with gusts reaching 50 mph
It’s going to be a windy Friday across the region with gusts expected this afternoon to reach up to 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service in Moon. Meteorologist Bill Modzelewski said those winds could result in power outages and downed trees and limbs. A wind advisory started at...
Irwin approves detour study for closed Colony Drive Bridge
Irwin officials approved a study Wednesday to find a detour around the closed Colony Drive Bridge, even as they face a $1 million price tag to replace the structure. While council members seek a path for traffic, they have learned there may be no way to detour around the high...
Family of Springdale man detained by ICE struggles on as community plans to rally
When Paulette Cordova visits her brother at ICE’s Moshannon Valley Processing Center, she can see the weariness in his eyes. Randy Cordova-Flores, 36, who was born in Peru, was detained by ICE agents more than a month ago after Springdale Police pulled him over near his home for allegedly failing...
As future hangs in the balance, Duquesne City School District continues to adapt
Adapting to change has been Duquesne City School District’s story throughout the years. “We’re resilient,” said Jennifer Yocca, a 30-year employee of the district. “We always have intentional leadership, but it changes a lot.” Duquesne, working through financial struggles, is a district down to just one school, a K-8 building...
2 people shot in McKeesport
One of two people shot Thursday evening in McKeesport was taken to a hospital with multiple injuries, according to the Allegheny County Police. They were shot near the intersection of Banker and Indiana streets around 5:45 p.m., police said. One person was shot multiple times and taken to an undisclosed...
Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority moves forward with long-sought housing in the Hill District
Several funding projects are moving ahead in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, including long-hoped-for housing in the Lower Hill. These and other developments that would fill vacant land and improve business façades were discussed Thursdayby Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority. At issue were proposed housing developments on two parcels in the Lower Hill...
Pittsburgh cop sues city, ex-chief Scirotto, claiming reverse discrimination
A white Pittsburgh police sergeant is suing the city and his former chief, Larry Scirotto, alleging he was discriminated against by being removed from a motorcycle unit. The lawsuit, filed by Brian Elledge in federal court on Wednesday, includes claims for race discrimination and retaliation. He is seeking money damages....
Jeannette man claims excessive force in police probe following fatal e-bike crashVideo
A Jeannette man claims police used excessive force to subdue him during an investigation into the death of an e-bike rider last year in Hempfield. James S. Grady II, 62, faces charges filed weeks after police entered his home to serve a warrant. The search was part of a probe...
SEA board blasts Fenway Sports Group’s ‘profiteering’ amid Pittsburgh Penguins sale
The $1.7 billion sale of the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Hoffmann Family of Companies was approved Thursday by the Sports & Exhibition Authority Board — but not before board members called out former owner Fenway Sports Group for its “profiteering.” Pending NHL approval, the sale would result in an $800...
Westinghouse-funded study finds $20B annual impact for firm’s proposed U.S. reactor fleet
A planned fleet of Westinghouse nuclear reactors in the U.S. would bring $20 billion in annual economic impact and support more than 22,000 jobs, according to a new report commissioned by the Cranberry-based company. Westinghouse released the figures Wednesday to bolster the case for constructing 10 AP1000 reactors across the...
Ahead of Ireland flights, Aer Lingus will join Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’s Day parade
Aer Lingus flights from Pittsburgh to Dublin begin in May, but the airline’s marketing director Lisa Melarkey will be in town this weekend to attend the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. Melarkey said Aer Lingus plans special promotions to coincide with the parade. “There’s a really big opportunity for us...
